General Music Chat

When posting your bio on your websites such as MySpace, etc, how much information do you think is enough? I've seen bios that go into every little detail of a person's life; and some with barely enough detail to make a paragraph. How much info do you have on your bio?

My dear wife always tells me,tell them only what they need to know.I'm such a good hearted soul,I don't know when to keep quiet.Even if you think its harmless it could come back on you.I've learned the hard way and sometimes still don't pay attention.I look at a bio sometimes as if its an application so I just try to detail my experiences,references,equipment use.

Good input, guys. Thanks. I was, of course, speaking of my music bio; not a personal bio. Since I have no cd releases (yet), I wonder how far back should I go detailing my experience. I've seen some that go back as far as grade school. I wasn't exactly a prodigy, but I have been performing on a local scale since I was 10. Just wondering where to draw the line between valid info & resume fluff.

I'm definitely for the short and need-to-know approach. But I'll tell you what turns me the hell off from the get go.....

"Hey U yo check out my stuff - and don 4get to sign my guest list, ayt!"

Drives me batshit crazy.

Hey Julie,
Even with your music bio,I don't see where you need to go way back.Just a brief on my bio,I just mention my overall experience of 44 years with two recorded cd's.No need to mention how many bands you've played.Once again its like an application.To me,more bands is less stability.Once you mention recording a cd,I already know you have studio experience.If I'm still off the beatin' path at least you know how I do my thing..........As my good friend with the Four Tops told me,less is better but to the point.Prospective clients don't have time to read.

Good point. I'm trying to decide which one to use:

http://www.rubysohoband.com/juliesaylor.html

OR

http://www.rubysohoband.com/juliesaylor2.html

or something in-between?

Julie,
Want my 2 cents worth?
I'd go with the short one, but add the entire paragraph that starts with "In the years that followed Julie and Alex . . ."
For the last paragraph, again, I'd use the longer one.
Alan

Julie,
I'd use the shorter version but once again listing all those bands doesn't impress me.Shows instability....I want people to know where I am NOW,not where I started...The word bands can be used as a reference to your stage playing experience but listing them is not necessary to me.

Good point. I think a better place to list all your bands and discography is in your press packet.

Good point, but isn't the website basically an online presskit?

Julie,
You are right.Anywhere you promote yourself should be the same presentation.I don't list my previous bands online or in our press kits.I think we are starting to beat this topic to death.Unless anyone else has any ideas,I think you'll be o.k. with what I read but suggest the shorter version.Like a demo,prospective clients don't have time to hear or read the whole thing so they are quickly looking for that "hook".I have 44 years music experience but it's my current demo and band thats impressive not my first band.

Jon

I made some modifications, & I think I may have reached happy medium. I'm using the shorter one for the band's page & the MySpace page, but the longer one (with a few changes) on the main bio page.

So, how else to y'all promote yourselves?

Good point, but isn't the website basically an online presskit?

It can be. I have an e-presskit (online, downloadable pdf) and a printed one ready to go. You'd be amazed at how many contacts still want the old fashioned printed thing placed in their hands.

But back to the subject, you really have to think about who you're reaching out to and why, and "will this information interest them or be irrelevent?" It can change in any circumstance. I try to keep things short and to the point when posting on new muisic sites and such. After all, I can always (and do) point them for more information to my own site.

I do all the promoting for our band and I'm fortunate to have connections in our city with the press and local radio station.Our band is advertised on the radio every time we play out.I've had an aritcle on the band's conception in the local paper on the front page.I advertised the band in various paper inserts,vacation guides.We are the ONLY local band of this caliber and it pays off as we play more than anyone else in our area.l know that everyone can't have this luxury but as I tell my bandmates,you never know who you might run into.Julie,check out our website:www.exit20.altpro.net
You will see that in our bio we don't even mention our years of experience,bands,etc.Even in our send out, I don't mention any of that stuff.Go into www.picturetrail.com/exit20 and in the bands album photo you will see our front page article.To add to our advertisng,I give our pizza joints stacks of fliers the week we are playing and they put them with their deliveries.It boils down to how bad do you really want to be noticed.............